Game 79 Preview: Bucks at Sixers

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 44-34

at

Philadelphia 76ers (Eddie Jordan) 26-52

Time: 6:00 (CST)
NO TV

Go on, admit it. You’re tired of Philadelphia. I certainly am. The Sixers have given the Bucks fits all year. We know the drill at this point, they’re athletic, they have more talent than their record indicates and if they’re able to hit some threes, all hell can break loose.

So, what can Milwaukee do to take one from Philly for once?

Control the ball

Milwaukee’s had very good assist to turnover numbers when they’ve played well this year. Philadelphia has given them trouble in this area all season. Twice when playing the Sixers, Milwaukee has turned the ball over more times than they assisted on baskets. The other game Milwaukee had a 10-8 assist to turnover ratio. Those aren’t encouraging numbers. Perhaps with Bogut out, the Bucks will be able to go small in an effort to get more ball handlers on the court to combat the Sixers athleticism.

Matchups

Point GuardBrandon Jennings vs. Jrue Holiday.

Holiday is horrifying. He’s like Rajon Rondo was as a rookie. After a bounce back March, April hasn’t been so kind to Brandon Jennings. Let’s move on.

Advantage: Sixers

Shooting GuardJohn Salmons vs. Andre Iguodala

AI2 was all over the court against the Bucks last time. He threw a number of lobs up to Sam Dalembert and went throwback with a ridiculous windmill jam. Salmons will have to do everything he can to contain the Sixers heartbeat, while motoring the Bucks offense to beat. This has been the story frequently for Salmons, so it’s nothing he can’t handle.

Advantage: Bucks

Small ForwardCarlos Delfino vs. Jason Kapono

So, Delfino hasn’t exactly been setting the league on fire since Bogut’s injury. In the two games the Bucks have played without Bogut, Delfino is 5-17 from the field and just 1-10 from behind the arc. Perhaps he’s still feeling the effects of the concussion he suffered at the hands of Udonis Haslem. Or should I say at the foot of. Oh wait, it wasn’t a concussion. He was just dizzy, nauseous, had headaches and was sensitive to light. A stiff neck it was. Regardless, the Bucks will at some point need more out of Delfino, from a creating standpoint or a shooting one. Fortunately, Jason Kapono has forgotten he was once as deadly a shooter as there was in the league.

Advantage: Bucks

Power ForwardLuc Richard Mbah a Moute vs. Elton Brand

As long as Milwaukee keeps reminding Brand its 2010 and not 2001, they should be fine. I think when he went off on Milwaukee earlier this year he was just confused about the year. He could still be a load on the glass without Bogut in the middle though, regardless of the year his offensive performance reminds us of.

Advantage: Sixers

CenterKurt Thomas vs. Sam Dalembert

I like Dalembert. He’s athletic, has a terrific attitude, can block shots and grabs boards. He’s everything I’d ever want in a backup for Bogut. Thomas v. Dalembert is kind of a battle by land versus by air. Thomas is all brains and brawn, whereas Dalembert’s athleticism is the tool in which he relies on. This is another game where Thomas’ ability to step away from the hoop and hit a jumper could open things up for Milwaukee.

Advantage: Sixers

BenchJerry Stackhouse, Luke Ridnour, Ersan Ilyasova and Charlie Bell

Vs.

Willie Green, Mareese Speights, Jason Smith and Rodney Carney

I’d love to see the Stackhouse that played Wednesday again, not the one who participated in the previous 10 games. Milwaukee will again need a big performance from their reserves in this one.

Advantage: Bucks

Prediction: Sixers 89 – Bucks 85

They have to lose one without Bogut eventually, right? The 76ers-Bucks match ups haven’t been very kind to the Bucks all year, I don’t expect that to be any different now, especially given the circumstances.

4 Comments

I hope you’re wrong. We lost against the Sixers when we expected to beat them; so maybe now with lower expectations we can win. I’d like to see our guys take revenge for that last game where Philly manhandled us…
I guess I won’t “see” it but I’ll be listening.
Go Bucks!